Epilogue,
Equanimity for the future.
The biggest way to break free from cognitive rigidity is to practice equanimity.
Equanimity helps us develop an inner and an outer ease with others and acts as our own mental protection.
By doing this we are better equipped to deal with the tumultuousness of life,
Which will lead to a greater confidence and a more focused and motivated way of being.
In many ways equanimity provides a link between compassion for the self and compassion for others.
We need to work on our mind's ability to maintain our attention in the present moment without distraction,
So that when we visualise during meditation we do not easily get distracted and as a result the quality of our meditations will improve.
We also need to balance between self-compassion and compassion for others.
There is much research to support the fact that you need to practice self-care just as much as caring for others.
And phrases such as,
You cannot pour from an empty cup,
Highlight the idea,
As a loving person if we do not start with ourselves then what exactly are we pouring?
When we are equanimous we have reached an inner understanding of who we are,
Why we are the way we are and how the way we are may impact others.
Loving ourselves for all our flaws,
Beauty and everything in between is a vital first step in turning our goodness outwards.
We may not be the finished article and perhaps we never are,
But at least we know our limitations and rather than pretend these don't exist we work on them.
Freedom of expression has taken on a new meaning because of its ease and lack of consequence,
Such as access to social media at our fingertips.
Relations that contain either personal or social divisiveness are not vetted and harmful remarks often become commonly accepted.
Social media users seek to shame others with a moralising political discourse.
So it seems more than ever we need a universal language of self-development and an inner conviction towards a healthy transaction between people,
As well as a fusion between the fulfilment of both inner healing and outer authenticity.
Through compassion for the self and others,
Equanimity merges our inner world with how we authentically express ourselves.
To maintain inner and outer balance we need some practical steps to take.
What follows is a list of summarising points that you can take from this book while you are seeking this balance.
1.
Mindfulness has done amazing things and will continue to do amazing things,
But let's not pretend it's a saviour of humankind.
We do need to avoid becoming breath junkies.
2.
Develop equanimity with a conviction to examine your true nature,
Who you are and what you think and feel,
And with a view to tapping into your judgemental and discriminatory mind.
3.
Practice mindfulness and equanimity with the intention of being the best possible version of yourself.
4.
Practice self-compassion in order to view yourself in a kinder way.
Don't beat yourself up if you discover that you have a particular judgement or prejudice that bothers you.
Instead,
Work with it if it's a core belief you wish to change.
And 5.
Practice extending the parameters of your compassion by extending love to your friends and the people you dislike,
As well as strangers.
By following these steps,
We are establishing an equanimity mindset,
One that is more spacious,
Open and relaxed,
And less fragile.
Even if we find it hard and may not taste the true nectar of equanimity as a more permanent state,
At least we are giving ourselves a fighting chance.
